BORDER BRYOLOGISTS, 2002-2003

Our meetings are to help beginners learn their mosses and liverworts, rather than high-powered recording sessions. Please bring sandwiches to all outdoor meetings, which are on Sundays, starting at 10.30 am.

You are most welcome to suggest venues for future programmes.

We also hope to have an indoor meeting at the new Ludlow Museum next spring, to help with microscopic procedures and identification, but details are not yet available because of uncertainty about when the new premises will be open and fully functional. If you would like to attend a meeting at the museum next spring, please contact Mark Lawley (see end) next March for details.

January 19th High Meadow Farm, Ashford Carbonnel, south Shropshire
This is a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) mixed arable and stock-farm with set-aside and winter-stubble, offering an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with a range of bryophytes which occur as arable weeds. Turn east off the A49 two miles south of Ludlow (sign-posted to Ashford Carbonnel and Caynham), and go straight on past the Ashford Carbonnel turning. About half a mile further on pass Ashford Manor (a large stone house set back from the road) on the left, and immediately turn left into a drive with a "LEAF Demonstration Farm" sign on the verge. After 50 yards park in the farmyard at SO 529718.

February 16th Chase Hill, Ross-on-Wye
We intended to explore Chase Wood in March 2001, but Foot and Mouth Disease put a stop to that. Perhaps we will refind Miss Armitage's Blepharostoma trichophyllum and Scapania gracilis. Meet in the car park in Fernbank Road, Ross (SO 598231). Approaching from Market Square in Ross (NB: one-way traffic system; Market Square must be approached from the east via Gloucester Road), go south along Walford Road (B4234) for 1 km, and turn left immediately before a children's playground on the left. The car park is on the left just into Fernbank Road.

March 16th Castlemorton Common, Welland, west Worcestershire
Meet at Gullet Quarry (SO 765382) to explore springs, flushes, copses and rough pasture on this SSSI, and assess its suitability for a visit by the BBS during their Spring Meeting in 2004.

April 6th Stiperstones, west Shropshire
Meet in the car park at the south end of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve (SO 369977) to explore rocky outcrops, scree and moorland. I can feel a Splachnum coming on….

May 2003 - hopefully a day at the microscopes in the new Museum at Ludlow (see above).

Mark Lawley,12A Castleview Terrace, Ludlow SY8 2NG Tel: 01584 876564 e-mail: m.lawley@virgin.net